akousia
Start here

Csus2 Chord

Csus2 uses D instead of a third. Without that major-or-minor note, the chord leaves its quality open until the next chord supplies more context.

  • Notes: C-D-G
  • Symbol: Csus2
  • Isus2 in C major
  • Second instead of third
Switch chordCsus2

How to play a Csus2 chord

Notes: C - D - G · symbol Csus2

  • Root position

    C - D - G
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-3-5 · Left 5-3-1

  • 1st inversion

    D - G - C
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-2-5 · Left 5-3-1

  • 2nd inversion

    G - C - D
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-3-5 · Left 5-2-1

Where does Csus2 belong?

The second replaces the third, so Csus2 can briefly interrupt a major chord without introducing a new root.
Play the role cards to hear how its surrounding chords change the job it does; Diatonic Chords explains the basic numbered roles.

  • In C majorOpen color
    Isus2

    Without a third the chord is neither major nor minor: open and unresolved.

    CICsus2Isus2CI
  • In G majorAiry step away
    IVsus2

    An open-sounding IV in G major.

    GICsus2IVsus2DVGI

Progressions to try

  • CCsus2C

    The chord moves from C to Csus2 and back, so you can hear the missing third return.

  • GCsus2DG

    Here Csus2 colors the IV chord before the loop continues to V and back home.

Which shape should you use?

On guitar, start with the open x30013 grip. Let the open strings ring and keep any strings marked x silent. The x35533 shape gives you another position when the neighboring chords sit elsewhere on the neck.

On ukulele, the open shape 0233 is the easiest place to start. The 5785 grip moves the chord to another register.

On piano, play C-D-G. Move C up an octave to reach the first inversion, D-G-C; the notes remain the same while the lowest voice changes.

What are the inversions?

C is the root, D the second and G the fifth. There is no third in this chord.

  • Root position: C-D-G, with C lowest.
  • First inversion: D-G-C, written Csus2/D if D is lowest in the whole arrangement.
  • Second inversion: G-C-D, written Csus2/G if G is lowest in the whole arrangement.

A slash chord names the note in the bass, not merely the lowest note under one hand. Chord Inversions shows how to read that distinction.

How does Csus2 differ from C?

Keep C and G; replace the second, D, with the major third, E, to make C. A sus2 chord does not keep the third alongside the second. Try that one-note change on piano, then use the comparer to hear it in the full chord. See C for the other chord's full spelling and roles.

  • Csus2

    C - D - G
    C4

    C sus2

  • C

    C - E - G
    C4

    C major

Try another chord